Adobe After Effects is considered to be one of the best motion graphics and visual effects apps, which is widely used by professionals all over the globe.
Maybe because it takes you into a world full of creativity where you can bring the artist in you out and create professional-looking results hassle-free.
Be it animation, visual effects, videos, or films, just name it and you’ll be able to create possibly anything and everything within this platform.
Despite all the loving reasons to have this app for creating some outstanding projects, many users prefer using working with other effective After Effects alternatives.
Perhaps people want to get rid of a monthly Creative Cloud subscription, want to switch to more powerful features, or simply want to get it done by paying a one-off fee.
Whatever the reason, you’ll be glad to check our list of the 7 best apps like After Effects for iPad, where you’ll love to devote time towards some of your most precious projects.
Here, let’s have a look at the same!
1. LumaFusion
LumaFusion is probably the only app that is super-affordable, user-friendly, and feature-packed. This app is indeed a must-have for every other keen videographer out there. Here, you get everything you’ll need to edit, mix, and master your videos with several professional features.
Specifically designed for professionals who always need a portable setup to start with their ongoing project, Lumafusion offers a wide range of media libraries including audio editing, adjustment features, multilayer titler and text options, a project manager, and a myriad of inspiring effects.
The app also comes loaded with exceptional motion capabilities where you can create slow-mo or fast-mo forward, reverse from 120 and 240fps to slow-mo video files, and time-lapse several video files. Once done, you can then share your work on major popular platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo among various others.
Main Features
- Display track headers for locking, hiding, and muting tracks
- Use preset transitions or create your own
- Display your preview on an external monitor
- Add markers with notes to your timeline
Drawbacks
Can face media issues and errors sometimes
Pricing
- The app will cost you $29.99/-
- In-App Purchases: Storyblocks Monthly – $9.99; Storyblocks Yearly – $69.99; FCPXML Export – $19.99
App Store rating: 4.8
2. Alight Motion
Alight Motion is the most renowned professional motion design app that will let you create videos with high-quality animation, visual effects, motion graphics, and much more!
Here, you can combine building blocks from a library of over 100+ customizable effects and ignite your animation project to the next level. It supports multiple layers of video, audio, and graphics and comes equipped with library vector shapes and freehand illustrations.
Further, you can even choose from exciting presets or design your own timing curves and export your work in MP4 video in H.264, HEVC, GIF animations, PNG sequences, and many other formats. This app offers almost everything a user will need to come with professional-quality results and that too, right on their iPad.
Main Features
- Multiple layers of graphics, video, and audio
- Vector and bitmap support (edit vector graphics right on your phone!)
- Keyframe animation available for all settings
- Link parent and child layers and rig character joints
Drawbacks
Lags often
Pricing
- Free to install and use
- In-App Purchases: Monthly Subscription – $4.99; Annual Subscription – $28.99; Watermark Removal Ticket ×1 – $1.99; Watermark Removal Ticket ×3 – $3.99
App Store rating: 4.3
3. Looom
Looom is a type of animation app that will let you explore lines, shapes and colors through loopable time and rhythm. Here, you’ll get creative with your experimentation as all the tools provided by this app are so fun and specific in use.
As the app incorporates a stripped-back interface, you’ll get to create simple loops called threads which you can layer in complex sequences called weaves later in your project. You can draw frames with either Apple Pencil or use two-handed touch gestures.
Due to the SVG format of the app, the drawing tools and total amount of frames are limited which will confine you to work within a set of constraints. Download this app and let everyone know what animation means to you.
Main Features
- Explore lines, shapes, and colors
- Next-gen dynamic non-destructive workflow
- Completely resolution-independent vector engine
- Used by popular influential indie animators
Drawbacks
Allows you to use 5 maximum threads throughout the entire project
Pricing
The app is available for $9.99
App Store rating: 3.8
4. Animation Desk
Animation Desk, just as the name says, will provide you with an animation desk where you can create beautiful static images and then with the help of apps’ tools can combine them into an enthralling art of animation. There are a number of tools the app features that lets both newbie and even serious animators bring their creative animations to life.
Here, you can choose the frame rate ranging from 3FPS to 24FPS frames per second and use tools like pens, pencils, crayons, paint brushes, bucket fills, smudges, and a huge palette of colors amongst various other features.
The ability to provide the overlay of adjacent frames, as in you were flipping through a notebook to see what your actual animation will look like, is what makes this app quite unique from its counterpart apps.
Main Features
- Import Photoshop layers (PSD)
- Make animation over videos and pictures
- Create animations with a different aspect ratio, FPS, and duration
- Color palettes for developing and managing color schemes
Drawbacks
Lags a bit
Pricing
- Free to download and use
- In-App Purchases: Creativity 365 – $9.99; Animation Desk Pro (Month) – $4.49; Creativity 365 – $19.99
App Store rating: 4.2
5. Mojo — Stories & Reels maker
Creating stunning video stories and reels is what this app will let you do. Here, you’ll be promised professional-looking results with an extensive range of customization options.
From hundreds of templates, text styles, colors, and sizes to positions and alignments – you’ll get everything you need to make your content stand out.
Making branded videos is quite a task but with Mojo, creating a particular video not only becomes quick but also engaging and fun. Also, the fact that the app keeps on adding new templates and text styles every month will excite many users to install this app on their devices.
All in all, this app is a game-changer when it comes to editing videos for Instagram in a hassle-free manner.
Main Features
- Unique Text Styles & Text Effects
- Huge selection of royalty-free audio files
- Add images from the apps’ stock photo collection
- Add soundtracks to your story sequence
Drawbacks
Almost every other feature requires a subscription
Pricing
- Free to install and use
- In-App Purchases: monthly – $9.99; yearly plan – $39.99; Pro – $59.99
App Store rating: 4.9
6. Impresso
Just as its name implies, Impresso is a powerful app for creating engaging animated videos and images that you can equip within your social media profiles to make them appear even more impressive.
Here, you’ll find a cascade of templates organized into different categories for your posts, and if you don’t find the right fit, you can simply go on and create your own layout for your post.
Once you have chosen the content you want to work with, you can use animation for each component, customize the font, and size, preview the changes and do everything that would make your content look better.
So be it for reels, stories, posts, or Youtube intro and cover videos – Impresso has got it all to wow your audience!
Main Features
- Various customization options
- 500+ professionally designed customizable templates
- Use the animated text on your videos
- Create professionally designed video ads
Drawbacks
The app isn’t much customizable
Pricing
- Free to install and use
- In-App Purchases: PRO Video Editor – Monthly – $9.99; PRO Video Editor – Yearly – $49.99
App Store rating: 4.8
7. Callipeg
Looking for an aesthetically pleasing yet functional app for creating fun animations, Callipeg is the best alternative to have. Even though this app is new to the market, its features are as surprising as any other app that has been for a while.
Here, you can create shots using frame rates you prefer like 12, 24, 25, and even go beyond creating 30 to 60 frames per second, well this is something really exciting!
Its interface is decluttered and intuitive which further enhances the ability to animate precisely. You can even manage your timeline and if you want to complete a particular task comparatively faster – all you need to do is flip-flop your animation with your fingers, play, and pause instantly whenever required and you’ll be good to go.
Main Features
- Select and move your drawings around even through layers
- Add as many layers as you need
- Flip your animation with three fingers
- Play and Pause your animation with four fingers
Drawbacks
Navigating the app can be a bit difficult to understand
Pricing
- Free to install and use
- In-App Purchases: Monthly Subscription – $0.99; Yearly Subscription – $8.99; Permanent Purchase – $49.99
App Store rating: 3.0
FAQs
Is there an app like After Effects for iPad?
There are several apps like After Effects that will let you customize stylish titles, transitions, and effects for your videos on the go. Some of the best ones are listed above.
Is LumaFusion a one-time purchase?
Yes, LumaFusion is a one-time purchase that you can make from the App Store. You will then continue to receive updates from the app whenever new features and tools are uploaded.
Conclusion
As now you’ve got acquainted with a bunch of After Effects alternatives, you’ll surely not fall short of choices in finding your fit.
All you have to do is choose an app that you’ll be comfortable working with and at a price you’ll readily pay for.
In the end, it’s not all about getting the right app but the features and effects that matter because they will become an integral part of your creative project later on.
Take a look at the highlights of the above-mentioned apps again and accordingly choose the app you think will be the best suitable for your creative process.
